Authentication Protocol Bridging for Database Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a bridging solution to ensure that current authentication methods remain effective when new authentication protocols are introduced, as there is often a lag in implementing these new protocols at both ends of an interaction between applications and databases, requiring older, less secure methods to remain available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a processor to authenticate requests by determining the current authentication protocols of both the application and the database, allowing for seamless switching between protocols, converting authentication information as necessary, and providing notifications on protocol updates, while also monitoring for potentially harmful queries and resource thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If new authentication protocols are introduced to enhance security, then security level is improved, but compatibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to implementation lag at both ends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that mediates between applications using new authentication protocols and databases still using old protocols. The database receives authentication requests in the new protocol format, validates them according to the new protocol standards, but processes them using the legacy protocol implementation, thereby enabling secure authentication without requiring simultaneous protocol upgrades at both ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the database pre-configure support for new authentication protocols before they are fully deployed across all applications. The database is prepared to receive and process new protocol authentication requests in advance, allowing applications to adopt new protocols immediately while the database gradually transitions, eliminating the need for coordinated simultaneous updates.
2Ease of operation
If old authentication methods remain available to ensure compatibility during transition, then ease of operation is maintained, but security level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach where the database acts as a mediator that translates new protocol authentication requests into legacy protocol format for processing. This allows the system to maintain compatibility with old authentication methods while enforcing new protocol security standards, as the translation layer ensures that even though the underlying mechanism is legacy, the authentication criteria and validation processes follow the newer, more secure protocol specifications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented to enable independent switching, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the database authentication module to handle multiple authentication protocols simultaneously through a unified interface. The database maintains a universal authentication framework that can process both legacy and new protocol requests through the same code path, using protocol identification to route appropriate validation logic. This multi-functional design allows the database to support protocol transitions without requiring separate processing paths for each protocol type.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system for providing a bridging solution in order to ensure that a current authentication protocol remains effective when a new authentication protocol is to be introduced but has not yet been implemented at both ends of an interaction between a requesting application and a database are provided. The method includes determining whether a first authentication protocol that is currently implemented by the application is the same protocol as a second authentication protocol that is currently implemented by the database. When the two protocols are different, the first protocol is used to validate a request for data submitted by the application in conjunction with authentication information; the authentication information is converted into a format that is usable by the second protocol; and the converted information is used with the second protocol to generate information that indicates that the request has been authenticated.